“It is the sauce that distinguishes a good chef. The Saucier is a soloist in the orchestra of a great kitchen.” – Fernand Point
So true! You can saute a chicken breast to perfection and make a great meal, but if you know how to make simple pan sauces, you can prepare a hundred different meals. Furthermore, you are going to find every cuisine has it’s own style of sauces, some similar, some completely different.
For example, Italian sauces for pasta like a Genovese sauce are much different from classic French sauces like a demi glace sauce. A simple soy ginger sauce for Chinese dumplings looks and tastes different from an Indian curry sauce. Even barbecue sauces can be different depending on where you live.
So here are some of my favorite sauces from various cuisines that you can enjoy with your favorite meals.
How to Make a Tarragon Red Currant Jelly Sauce? Sauce is my thing. I would make sauces for all my meals if I had my preference. No matter how great my wife or I cook something, everyone always comments on the sauce. Or if you just happen to overcook something, a good sauce will help […]
Also Called Blonde Sauce & Parisienne Sauce This is a classic French sauce and a variation of Veloute Sauce but made with egg yolks creating an even richer sauce. Most often served with egg dishes and poached fish, however, this sauce can also be served with poultry, veal and vegetables. Classic French Sauces Depending on […]
A Delicious Sauce for Salmon or Other Seafood Dishes I have prepared and served this sauce with salmon many times over the years and often hear the same response when offering seconds, “The heck with the salmon, can I have a cup of that sauce!” This sauce is really that good and how could it […]
How to Make a Simple Chutney Sauce For Your Favorite Meats & Vegetables I call this Old Farmhouse Chutney Sauce because the first time I prepared it, I used a jar of Stonewall Kitchen’s chutney given to me as a housewarming present. You can use any of your favorite commercial chutneys or one of your […]
How to Make a Easy Mornay Sauce at Home I think of a Mornay sauce as the older cousin of Bechamel sauce which is confusing because Mornay is basically Bechamel with cheese added to it. This would make you think Bechamel must have come before Mornay but most people suspect Bechamel was created around the […]
A Great Brown Butter Sauce with Sage Can Elevate ANY Meal The other night I prepared a pan fried chicken with roasted fall vegetable medley including butternut squash, potatoes and apples. The side dish was incredible and I’ve been serving it with both pork and flounder because it’s that good. The chicken is easy to […]
Looking for a Simple Sauce to Serve on Vegetables? We eat a lot of steamed broccoli and asparagus in our house and are always looking for new ways to serve it. We found this simple yogurt sauce made with garlic and fresh squeezed lemon juice that is so easy to make and really adds a […]
Got My Mojo Glaze Working The definition for “mojo” is a magic charm, talisman, or spell. Over the years, mojo has been used in song titles and lyrics including “Got My Mojo Working, a blues song written by Preston “Red” Foster and made popular by Muddy Waters in 1957. Jim Morrison of the Doors used […]
An Alternative Version of Classic Pesto When you think of pesto, you’re most likely thinking of Pesto Alla Genovese made with crushed garlic, pine nuts, salt, basil, Parmesan cheese and olive oil. These are the ingredients that have been used since ancient Roman times originating in Genoa in northern Italy. Today, home cooks all over the […]
How to Make a Delicious Mustard & Wine Wine Sauce for Seafood or Chicken A classic mustard and white wine sauce can be made numerous ways with a teaspoon of this or tablespoon of that to come up with different versions. I like this simple way of making it with mushrooms, a little mustard, a […]
I'm a work-at-home dad who enjoys cooking, learning everything I can about the culinary world and sharing it with you. To learn more about me... Read More
What is Demi Glace? I am a huge fan of demi-glace for preparing classic sauces like mushroom or peppercorn sauce but I have to warn you, it is a huge process to make classic demi glace at home. It is not for the faint of heart but well worth the effort – at least once. […]
Penne Pasta with Roasted Tomatoes and Fresh Mozzarella
How to Make a Delicious Pasta Meal with Roasted Tomatoes & Fresh Mozzarella In our house we typically have a weekly “What’s On Hand” meal where my wife and I find ingredients in the refrigerator and pantry that need to be used sooner than later and prepare a pasta dish, stir-fry or Mexican fajita. This […]
Pan Roasting—the Chef’s Secret Cooking Technique One of my favorite cooking techniques not talked about in most cookbooks If I could teach you just one chef’s technique that will help you save time in the kitchen and deliver a thick cut of meat to the table with a perfect sear and juicy medium-rare throughout, it […]
